Alaskan author Christine Byl visited the Unalaska Library on Thursday, February 19, 2015 and read excerpts from her recent book Dirt Work: An Education in the Woods. Byl’s book is a memoir about her time spent working as a “traildog,” a member of trails crews in National Parks. After the reading, Byl fielded audience questions on topics ranging from her writing process to proper axe technique.

During Byl’s visit to Unalaska, she also presented writing workshops to high school and middle school English classes. Her husband, Gabe Travis, taught art to elementary students. This trip marks Christine’s first visit to a “treeless island.”

Byl lives in Healy, near Denali National Park, with her husband and an old sled dog. They make their home in a yurt and are building a log cabin. She started trail work in 1996 at Glacier National Park and has spent four seasons leading trail crews in Denali National Park. She holds a MFA in creative writing from the University of Alaska, Anchorage.

Byl’s visit to Unalaska was made possible by the Unalaska Arts Council, the Unalaska City School District, and the Unalaska Public Library. Special thanks to Robi Harris and Amy Purevsuren for arranging this visit.